Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

11:32
Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: September 28, 2016
Acid-sensing ion channels in pathological conditions
Xiang-Ping Chu1, Zhi-Gang Xiong
1Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO, USA. chux@umkc.edu
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are crucial in neurological disorders. Their activity can be modulated in pathological conditions, offering new therapeutic targets for neuronal injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Channel Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels found in neuronal systems.
- ASIC1a channels are implicated in neuronal injury in conditions like ischemia and multiple sclerosis.
- ASIC1a channels typically desensitize rapidly under acidosis, questioning their role in injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ASICs in neurological disorders.
- To understand how ASIC properties are modulated in pathological conditions.
- To explore ASICs as potential therapeutic targets for neuronal injury.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on ASIC function and modulation.
- Analysis of ASIC behavior under normal versus pathological conditions.
- Investigation of signaling molecule and biochemical change effects on ASICs.
Main Results:
- ASIC properties are significantly modulated by pathological conditions.
- Modulation can lead to enhanced and prolonged ASIC activity.
- This prolonged activity promotes the pathological functions of ASICs.
Conclusions:
- ASICs, particularly ASIC1a, play a critical role in acidosis-mediated neuronal injury.
- Modulation of ASICs in disease states enhances their detrimental effects.
- Understanding ASIC modulation offers new strategies for treating neurological disorders.
Related Concept Videos
pH Regulation in Cells
pH plays a critical role in maintaining normal cellular activities. It helps maintain the structure and function of various proteins, dictates the charge on cellular membranes, and is crucial for metabolic reactions inside the cell. Moreover, cells use the energy from the proton motive force to generate ATP.
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
Ion Channels
The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...

